Need to write python source with python

[crstop at gmail.com]

Hi All,

I'm new to Python but have experience with a few other programming languages(Java, Perl, JavaScript). 

I'm using Python 2.7.2 and I'm trying to create and write to a file (.py) a python class and functions from python. I will also need to later read and edit the file. I realize I could just write strings using the available string and file writing methods but suspect there is a better way than that. 

I have read about pickle, ast, and Django; searched this group and the web but haven't found a solution that seems to fit. Any suggestion?